Food enthusiasts, media personalities, and social media influencers gathered at ZOR Restaurant in Dainfern Square to sample dishes prepared by chef Absalom Kotsokoane during a tasting event hosted by owner Andile Zulu.

The order of the day combined food, music, and social networking.

Among the guests was Trailer Young, a frequent traveller and musician who has explored cuisines in five countries. He said the food stood out for its balance of flavour and presentation, with the only cuisine he struggled to adjust to being Zambian nshima and impua, describing the latter as ‘a little bit sour’.

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He did say, however, that his highlight of the evening at ZOR was meeting people in different fields, and connecting over food.

For Zulu, that sense of connection through food lies at the heart of what he does. The Broadacres-based entrepreneur spent several years working in information technology (IT) before opening the restaurant, a decision inspired by a lifelong passion for cooking.

“I’ve always loved being in the kitchen. Even as a child, I used to handle Christmas dinners at home, trying new recipes while my family watched.”

Like many of his peers, Zulu pursued IT for stability, rather than passion. “Our parents encourage us to study something safe, something that guarantees employment, but the spark for food never went away.”

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Travelling abroad reawakened that passion. “When I went to Morocco, I had octopus for the first time. I came back, wrote down how it was made, and asked my chef to recreate it here. It turned out beautifully.”

Since its launch, ZOR has created jobs for local residents, something Zulu says gives him the most satisfaction. “It feels good to know that what started as a dream now helps others feed their families.”

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